The US government plans to expand vetting of social media accounts of visa applicants, including foreign journalists, as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reposted an article on X by the Daily Signal that said the State Department is expanding its social media vetting to applicants for more types of visas.

The Daily Signal said it had obtained an internal memo outlining the plan, which would require visa applicants to change the settings on their social media accounts to “public” or “open.” The Department of State spokesperson said the department is constantly reviewing and evaluating screening and vetting procedures worldwide.

According to the Daily Signal, the plan would now apply to foreign media representatives and some nationals from Mexico and Canada. Since taking office, President Trump has moved to expel millions of undocumented migrants and restricted the entry into the United States of citizens of a number of countries. The Trump administration finalized rules last month that impose stricter limits on how long foreign students and journalists can stay in the United States.

Under the new rules, foreigners on student visas would be admitted for the length of their academic program up to a maximum of four years. Foreign journalists would be limited to stays of just 240 days, or around eight months, but could apply for extensions of similar duration.

The move has raised concerns among human rights groups, who argue that the new rules will make it even harder for journalists and students to work in the United States. The State Department spokesperson said that online presence vetting is about applicants demonstrating their eligibility to receive a visa under US law and ensuring that no individual poses a risk to the safety and security of the United States.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that a visa is a privilege, not a right. The plan to expand social media vetting is part of a broader effort to tighten controls on immigration.

### Key Facts:

• The US government plans to expand vetting of social media accounts of visa applicants, including foreign journalists. • The move is part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. • Visa applicants will have to change the settings on their social media accounts to “public” or “open.” • The plan will now apply to foreign media representatives and some nationals from Mexico and Canada. • Foreign students will be admitted for the length of their academic program up to a maximum of four years. • Foreign journalists will be limited to stays of just 240 days. • The State Department is constantly reviewing and evaluating screening and vetting procedures worldwide.